Brave mum dies

This week, the same family was coming to terms with Linda's death after complications following a bone marrow transplant as she valiantly fought leukaemia.

Linda, a popular and respected district nurse from Tarring, appeared on the front page of the Herald in July encouraging people to put themselves forward as donors after she was diagnosed with the disease.

The mum of two died last Wednesday morning '” just three months after a receiving a transplant from her sister. She was 43.

Her husband, Paul Reymond, 45, led the tributes this week: He said: "She was a super mum, district nurse and wife. She was an optimist and a vibrant person who had an opinion about everything. She was always talking about her plans for the future."

Mrs Reymond had been in and out of hospital since she was diagnosed last year. Her sister, Lucy Shepherd, was a bone marrow match and Mrs Reymond had a successful transplant in November.

A former pupil of Worthing Sixth Form College before moving to London where she completed her nursing training, Mrs Reymond returned to Worthing in 1986 where she worked at Worthing Hospital before retraining in 1986 to become a district nurse. She worked at Heene Road surgery before working as a district nurse covering evening and late shifts.

Mrs Reymond's sister-in-law, Danielle Rodemark, said: "She was so much fun to be with. She was devoted to her children and to her family. She was a dear friend and we used to have girly nights in with our friends where we would take turns cooking meals.

I have great memories of those times. I have got children and she was a brilliant aunty to them. Everyone is just devastated."

Mrs Reymond was also a former dancing student at the Jean Butterworth School of Dancing in Worthing, where her two young girls, Nina, 12, and Polly, eight, are now pupils.

She was also a former member of the 8th Worthing Venture Scouts and, in recent years, was involved in helping to organise the Worthing Gang Show. On the local Scouting website this week a tribute under the simple heading "The saddest news about Linda" says: "Linda was one of the most vivacious and caring people I have ever known. More importantly, really good company.

"Most of us have known Linda since she was a Guide and then a Venture Scout and many will have known her from the golden age of Worthing's gang shows, which she was still involved with up until last year.

"Linda was a very good friend and we'll miss her terribly."

A memorial service will take place at St Andrew's Church, Tarring, on Friday, February 4, beginning at 1pm. There will be a collection for leukaemia research funds. All friends and patients of Mrs Reymond are welcome.